Wedding Officiants

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Comment by Reverend Dawn on February 16, 2010 at 10:59pm

Hello Everyone...just popping in to say hello :-) I'm Rev. Dawn from New York and I look forward to connecting with you all and getting to know you better.

Smile,
Dawn

Comment by Rt. Rev. Dr. Ronald Turcot on January 7, 2010 at 4:20pm

Greetings Folks,
I usually insert my version of the "name Change" information to every bride as a matter of assistance at no charge. I wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May God Bless all of you and yours.

Rev. Ron

Comment by The Name Change Kit For Brides on January 7, 2010 at 4:00pm

From Miss To Mrs - At Home Bride Name Change Software - Happy New Year ! Just a note to let you know that the newest version of our name change software is just about ready to break. Wedding Clergy Nationwide are including our software in their wedding ceremony packages. Since the software was originally designed by Wedding Clergy, due to the many requests for information on anything official, we are glad to continue the tradition. If interested, ask for Dr. Linda Trott at our national line 1 800 274 0675 or e-mail her at info@thenamechangekit.com.

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Comment by Veils and Fairytales on December 8, 2009 at 9:28pm

For some reason my email address did not show up completely in the message I sent to the whole group about the AfWPi Inland Empire mixer. If you are interested in attending, please email me your information at: info@veilsandfairytales.com

Comment by REv Dr Angela Heil on November 21, 2009 at 6:59am

Hello everyone; I am offering a Pastors Stimulus Half Price Ceremony Plan to help couples get through these tough economic times. Check it out at: http://www.angelaheilministries.com

Comment by REv Dr Angela Heil on November 21, 2009 at 6:59am

Hello everyone; I am offering a Pastors Stimulus Half Price Ceremony Plan to help couples get through these tough economic times. Check it out at: http://www.angelaheilministries.com

Comment by Weddings On Wheels® on November 5, 2009 at 12:06am

I've just added a Special Offer for engaged couples to my website. Click here to view.

Comment by Elizabeth Oakes on October 28, 2009 at 6:17pm

Cheryl: thanks for the ketubah resources, very nice!

I too do not feel I need to judge people's relationships nor do I have a religious agenda for them or require counseling etc. I assume my couples are adults who have decided to enter a new stage in their relationship together, and it's my job to help them do enter that new phase whether it includes a legal status change or not.

That being said, when I am performing a legally-binding ceremony, I am responsible for my couples and their well-being both legally and emotionally, and one of the easiest ways for people to cause long-term distress to a couple is to mess up on the legal portions of the marriage. I could regale you with dozens of sad stories about paperwork gone awry (including a marriage license that was dug out of the back seat of some officiant's car by a car wash attendant two years after the wedding, never recorded, so the couple had to go to court to declare their married status at a critical time) but as someone who also performs civil weddings for L.A. County I can tell you--just like in court, ignorance of the law is no excuse when you mess up legal documents. Messing up the legal part of a marriage can have a huge impact on a family's property, health care, and ability to speak for each other in crisis situations. So in that sense--in the sense that as a caring person and someone who is legally entitled to perform weddings--I am responsible for my clients' wellbeing, I take that responsibility very seriously knowing how much trouble can be created by ignorance/negligence, and I encourage others to pay as much attention to the legal portion of their duties as they do the pretty and fun parts.

As for marrying couples that don't have legal status, I was proud to be the witness at one of the first official same-sex weddings in L.A. County last June and I personally officiated dozens of same-sex ceremonies both at the County Clerk's office and at my home during our marriage equality period. I have also officiated at commitment ceremonies and do so with great joy, but I am careful make clear the distinctions between a legal wedding and an emotional one. And Carleen: I also ask to see a marriage certificate for couples who are doing a wedding re-enactment, as state law requires. It's a smart thing to do even if you can get away with not doing it, because it not only ensures everyone's on the level but provides a little CYA as well. :)

Comment by Rev. Cheryl Hooten on October 28, 2009 at 5:44pm

That's interesting Carleen; since a commitment ceremony is not is not legally binding I've never asked to see their prior license - if they tell me they are married I just take their word for it...perhaps I'll start to ask to see it from now on.

But I have no issue saying "I now pronounce you husband and wife" in a commitment ceremony, whether there is a legal marriage involved or not...gay couple's can't legal marry here but their commitment ceremony is still their wedding in their eyes and I'm happy to honor that.

Comment by Rev. Cheryl Hooten on October 28, 2009 at 4:00pm

I also follow the tradition of creating a document for gay couple's to sign; similar to Jewish or Quaker weddings (a Ketubah or a Foundation Covenant) Here's one of many a good sources I use for them: http://www.modernketubah.com

For those of you who may want a little more guidance on gay weddings and traditions here’s a great blog post that you can learn more from: http://su.pr/1ROmVr

But it looks like I may be the odd (wo)man, out so to speak, on this thread as I do not feel that I am responsible in any way for the well being of my couple's or their families. I also don't feel that you have to involve religion to have a wedding or a marriage; many of my couple's do not follow or practice a single religion or are not allowed by law to marry.

I just don't feel it's my place to judge couple's or to show/teach them they are or are not right for each other; they are adults and that's up to them. It's not about the money, it's about people being able to marry anyone they wish without being judged, quizzed or forced into arbitrary classes for someone else's piece of mind. If two people say they love each other and wish to join their lives together, that's good enough for me.

I've been a part of several wedding ceremonies that take place after a couple is legally married. In some case the guest may know they were previously married, in other case some guest may think that this "big" wedding is the first one; I don't look at these as a deception, I can’t quiz every guest nor would I want to. But I have not nor will I ever be a part of an intentional deception; if a couple wants a commitment ceremony then everyone there knows it's a commitment ceremony...the couple does not have the same legal rights as a "married" couple but to them it's still a marriage and I'm happy to be a part of that.

As I understand it there isn't a law in this state preventing me from pronouncing them as husband and wife (husband and husband or wife and wife) - if that's how they feel I honor their request; but I do find that most who ask for a commitment ceremony don't want those words used anyway.


To Carol: after reading your post I probably fall under that "pet peeve" category...I pride myself on not being a "run of the mill" Officiant with the same old dusty ceremony; that's what sets me apart. Although we do all basically perform the same service in the fact that at the end of the day the couple will be legally married, we all offer this in a different way and provide different levels of service.

So indeed, my wording choices might be perceived as a slam to other Officiant's in general but it certainly wasn't intended to be that way; most couple's aren't aware or bold enough to ask/find what they really want (a personal and meaningful ceremony that suits them) and are expecting each of us to be exactly the same. The way I see it I'm only describing/highlighting how I'm different and what sets me apart from the pack; not insulting other Officiant’s. So apologies if you took offense to my marketing approach.

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